FWD: Cutting a contract short

[Ned Bedinger]

Beth Agnew wrote:

<snip>
>  I entered into a contract with them in good faith.
If you did so where I work, we would both be contracting in good faith 
under the law of Employment at Will, which allows employers to terminate 
employees and contractors without prior notice or explanation.  
Employees have the same option of moving on without giving notice or 
explanation.  I imagine that the law was propounded by business owner 
interests, and represents the most favorable arrangement for them, so I 
(with some sudden lay-offs behind me) have little or no compunction 
about exercising my at-will option. It is expected, in all quarters, and 
understood as an honorable  business decision (oxymoron not intended, 
but there it is).. 

> Aware of my budget, I negotiated with the agency to get a professional 
> that could do the job for the price I offered. I expect that person to 
> fulfill their agreement. It would do more for their relationship with 
> me if they complete their contract, and satisfy the objectives of the 
> project. They can tell me they have another offer, but I would still 
> expect them to be as good as their word. I would try to accommodate 
> them working both, but I certainly would not be pleased to have them 
> leave before the job is done. 
I guess there's a little bit of the hostage's dilemma in this 
situation.  Honestly, being myself a product of this age where the rules 
accord equal (or better) rights to impersonal entities as to 
individuals, I would be inclined to treat the situation impersonally.  
No civil or criminal penalties ensue from this decision, and the 
business-like response should be in kind.  That's what the global 
economy is all about! 

> I don't care what kind of happy little transition plan they might come 
> up with, I would expect every contractor to be professional in his/her 
> dealings with me. To me, ending a contract before things are done is 
> not professional.
 From the trenches, I sometimes reflect back on an easier time.  But it 
is g-o-n-e, man.  History.  Pffft.  Welcome to my planisphere.

> Whatever happened to integrity and commitment in business?

It should be clarified in the initial interview as requirements.

> File this under Ethics in Technical Communication.
A good choice!



Ned Bedinger
doc at edwordsmith.com